ShakaTown - Foster Youth Supports

About this resource

ShakaTown is Hawaiʻi's official online community designed to support current and former foster youth as they transition into adulthood. Managed by the Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services (DHS), ShakaTown serves as a centralized hub offering resources, guidance, and connections tailored to the unique needs of foster youth.

🌺 What ShakaTown Supports

• Education & Training Voucher (ETV) Program: Provides financial assistance—up to $5,000 annually—for eligible youth pursuing higher education or vocational training. This support covers tuition, books, housing, and other educational expenses.

• Imua Kākou Program: A voluntary extended foster care initiative allowing young adults aged 18–21 to continue receiving support services, helping them transition smoothly into independent living.

• Community Networks: Access to the Foster Hope Hawaiʻi app and other tools that connect youth with vital services related to housing, education, employment, and health. shakatown.com

• Scholarship Opportunities: Information on local and national scholarships specifically for foster youth, including those from the Victoria S. and Bradley L. Geist Foundation and the National Foster Parent Association. shakatown.com+1shakatown.com+1

• Youth Rights Information: Resources detailing the rights of children in foster care, ensuring that youth are informed and empowered within the system.

• News & Events: Updates on workshops, application deadlines, and other events pertinent to foster youth and their support networks.